Gravel Calc ProGravel Calculator
Pick a shape, enter the size and depth. You get cubic yards, tons and bags right away.
Bags, weight, waste and cost
Use the weight your supplier gives for the exact stone. The material list sets a starting value.
You need
0 cubic yards
0 sq ft at 0 in deep
- Tons
- 0
- Cubic feet
- 0
- Bags
- 0
- Pounds
- 0
- Cubic meters
- 0
- Metric tonnes
- 0
- Cost
- 0
- 1 ton covers
- 0
By the Gravel Calc Pro team · Weights from producer data sheets · Math covered by unit tests · Last updated October 22, 2026 · How we calculate
How much gravel do I need?
Multiply length by width in feet to get square feet. Multiply by the depth in inches and divide by 324. That gives cubic yards. Multiply cubic yards by the weight of your stone, about 1.4 tons per yard for common gravel, to get tons. A 20 by 10 foot area at 4 inches needs 2.47 yards, or about 3.5 tons.
The number 324 comes from 12 inches in a foot times 27 cubic feet in a cubic yard. Both values are fixed in NIST Handbook 44, the U.S. reference for weights and measures.
tons = cubic yards × tons per cubic yard
bags = cubic feet ÷ bag size (cu ft), rounded up
Area formulas for each shape
- Rectangle or square: length × width.
- Circle: 3.1416 × radius × radius. The radius is half the diameter. A 10 foot fire pit circle is 78.5 sq ft.
- Triangle: base × height ÷ 2. Use this for corner beds.
- Any shape: split an L shaped or curved area into rectangles, circles and triangles. Add the areas, then type the total into the Any shape box.
How much does a cubic yard of gravel weigh?
A cubic yard of gravel or stone weighs about 2,700 to 3,500 pounds, or 1.35 to 1.75 tons. The weight depends on the rock, the size of the pieces and how wet it is. Fine and well graded stone packs tighter, so it weighs more per yard than clean, round stone of one size.
Suppliers sell by the ton or by the yard, so you need this number to compare quotes. The tool starts with the values below. Change the weight box if your yard gives a different figure.
| Material | Tons per yd³ | Pounds per yd³ | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sand | 1.3 | 2,600 | Gorham Sand & Gravel |
| Pea gravel, bagged | 1.35 | 2,700 | QUIKRETE Pea Pebbles, 50 lb per 0.5 cu ft |
| River rock, bagged | 1.35 | 2,700 | Vigoro River Pebble, 50 lb per 0.5 cu ft |
| Gravel, general (DOT gravel) | 1.4 | 2,800 | Gorham Sand & Gravel |
| Stone, general | 1.5 | 3,000 | Gorham Sand & Gravel |
| Coarse stone #57, #67, #8 | 1.65 | 3,300 | Kokosing |
| Base stone, #411, screenings | 1.75 | 3,500 | Kokosing |
Bag weights turn into a weight per yard like this: 50 lb ÷ 0.5 cu ft = 100 lb per cubic foot. Times 27 is 2,700 lb, which is 1.35 tons.
How much will a yard of gravel cover?
One cubic yard covers 162 square feet at 2 inches deep, 108 at 3 inches, 81 at 4 inches and 54 at 6 inches. One ton covers less than one yard of most gravel. At 1.4 tons per yard, a ton covers about 116 square feet at 2 inches.
| Depth | 1 cubic yard covers | 1 ton at 1.5 t/yd³ covers | 1 ton at 1.75 t/yd³ covers |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 in | 162 sq ft | 108 sq ft | 93 sq ft |
| 3 in | 108 sq ft | 72 sq ft | 62 sq ft |
| 4 in | 81 sq ft | 54 sq ft | 46 sq ft |
| 6 in | 54 sq ft | 36 sq ft | 31 sq ft |
A UC Master Gardener article gives a quick check: one ton of gravel covers 80 to 120 square feet at 2 inches. The table above falls inside that range.
How deep should gravel be?
Depth matters more than any other input. Doubling the depth doubles the stone. Use these as starting points and check local rules for a driveway.
| Project | Depth | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Garden path | 2 in | UC Master Gardeners call 2 inches a practical minimum |
| Path with stepping stones | 4 in | Same UC article, when thick stones or pavers are set in |
| Decorative rock bed | 2 to 3 in | QUIKRETE tells you to dig the bed 2 to 3 inches deep |
| Driveway top layer | 3 to 4 in | Your choice of stone over a firm base |
| Driveway base | 4 to 6 in or more | Built in layers and packed; soft soil needs more |
Gravel driveway calculator steps
Most driveways are long rectangles. Measure the length down the middle and the width at a few points, then use the average width. Add a circle or triangle for a turnaround.
- Work out each layer on its own. A base of crushed stone with fines packs hard. A top layer of clean stone drains well.
- Pick base stone at 1.75 tons per yard for the bottom, and #57 at 1.65 for the top, or type your supplier's numbers.
- Add a few percent in the waste box for the base, since it shrinks when rolled.
- Enter your price per ton to see the cost of each layer.
The federal Gravel Roads Maintenance and Design Manual explains why the mix matters. Good road gravel is a blend of stone, sand and fines. It also says a crown that rises about 1/2 inch per foot, about 4%, helps water run off. That same slope keeps long driveways from holding puddles.
Gravel types and which page to use
Round stone such as pea gravel and river rock rolls under your feet. Angular crushed stone locks together and makes a firm surface. The UC article says round river run gravel never packs into a solid surface, while angular stone like decomposed granite does.
How to order
- Ask if the price is per ton or per cubic yard. Then use the weight per yard to compare.
- Ask for the weight of the exact stone. One quarry can differ from the next.
- Round up. A small second delivery often costs more than a little extra in the first load.
Common questions
How much gravel do I need for a 10 by 10 area?
A 10 by 10 foot area is 100 square feet. At 2 inches deep that is 16.7 cubic feet, or 0.62 cubic yards. At 1.4 tons per yard it weighs about 0.86 tons. At 4 inches deep you need twice as much: 1.23 cubic yards, or about 1.73 tons.
How many tons are in a cubic yard of gravel?
Most gravel and stone weighs 1.35 to 1.75 tons per cubic yard. Gorham Sand & Gravel uses 1.4 tons for DOT gravel. Kokosing uses 1.65 for coarse stone like #57 and 1.75 for base stone. Wet stone weighs more, so ask your supplier for the exact number.
How many yards of gravel are in a ton?
At 1.4 tons per yard, one ton is about 0.71 cubic yards. At 1.65 tons per yard, one ton is about 0.61 cubic yards. Divide 1 by the weight per yard to get yards per ton.
How many 0.5 cubic foot bags make a cubic yard?
A cubic yard is 27 cubic feet, so it takes 54 bags of 0.5 cubic feet. Bags make sense for small beds and paths. For a driveway, bulk delivery by the ton or yard is far less work.
Should I add extra gravel?
Many people add a little extra because loose stone settles when it is packed and some spills at the edges. Use the waste box in the tool to add a percent. A deep base that will be rolled flat needs more extra than a thin layer of pea gravel.
Do I need landscape fabric under gravel?
It is optional. A University of California Master Gardener article says fabric stops weeds from below and keeps gravel from mixing into the soil, but it does not stop seeds that land on top. If you use it, the article suggests the heaviest weight you can find.
References
- NIST Handbook 44, Appendix C: General Tables of Units of Measurement
- Calculating Cubic Yards vs. Tons, Gorham Sand & Gravel
- Tonnage Calculator conversion factors, Kokosing Materials
- QUIKRETE Hardscapes Pea Pebbles specifications (Ritter Lumber listing)
- Vigoro 0.5 cu. ft. Bagged River Pebble specifications, The Home Depot
- Gravel Pathways in the Garden, UC Master Gardeners, University of California ANR
- Landscape Rock instructions (Item 6931-22), QUIKRETE
- Gravel Roads Maintenance and Design Manual, SD LTAP for FHWA (hosted by U.S. EPA)